New Delhi, 30 September (H.S.): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday said the party was preparing to approach the court over alleged police action during a recent protest. He said the party had submitted a complaint to the Police Commissioner and would pursue legal remedies if appropriate action was not taken.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Saurabh Bharadwaj said AAP leaders and workers had for the past three days been demanding that an FIR be registered against Delhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh. He said the party had video footage and other evidence relating to incidents that allegedly took place between police personnel and party workers during the protest.

Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party had submitted a written complaint to the Police Commissioner regarding the events of September 27, seeking preservation of CCTV footage from Jafarpur Police Station, Vikaspuri Police Station and areas around the DCP office. He said the footage could help establish what transpired during the demonstration.

He alleged that police personnel used force against some party workers during the protest. Referring to an incident involving him, Saurabh Bharadwaj said a police officer had allegedly pulled him by the collar from behind, causing him discomfort. He added that the party had video footage of the incident.

Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party would also pursue a legal battle over the case registered against him and MLA Jarnail Singh in connection with the confrontation between AAP workers and police personnel. He alleged that a case had also been registered against Jarnail Singh after he raised an issue concerning alleged corruption.

Referring to the developments involving Parvesh Sahib Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party was demanding an impartial investigation into the matter. He said allegations had emerged concerning the alleged snatching of a mobile phone and slapping, and that the party had sought police action in this regard.

Saurabh Bharadwaj also raised allegations of alleged mistreatment of women during the protest. He claimed that some women party workers were taken to a police station late at night following the demonstration and were subsequently released at another location. He said a complaint regarding the matter had also been submitted to the Police Commissioner.

AAP worker Sakshi Gupta alleged that male police personnel pulled her and behaved inappropriately with her during the September 27 protest. She demanded action against the police personnel concerned and said she had sustained injuries during the incident.

Municipal councillor Sarika Chaudhary also questioned the conduct of police personnel towards women during the demonstration. She alleged that there was not an adequate presence of women police officers and that some women party workers were allegedly mistreated. She said a complaint had been submitted in this regard.

Another AAP worker, Seema, said that police personnel pulled her during the September 27 protest, causing injuries to her hands and legs. She also demanded appropriate action in the matter.

Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party had submitted its complaint and the available evidence to the police. He added that if no action was taken at the police level, the party would approach the court and pursue legal proceedings in the matters concerned.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar